James Stephen Fry, educator, historian and cherished friend, passed away on December 21, 2024, at the age of 77. Born on August 30, 1947, in Queens, N.Y., Jim lived a life marked by intellectual curiosity, service, and deep connections to his community and loved ones.
Jim was the son of James Edward Fry and Catherine (née Gunzel) Fry. He attended St. Pascal Baylon elementary school in Queens before the family relocated to the Adirondacks in 1959. A graduate of St. Peter’s Academy in Saratoga Springs (1965) and Siena College (1969), where he earned a bachelor’s degree in history and participated in ROTC, Jim was only just beginning his academic journey.
In 1969, he moved to Burlington, Vt., to pursue a graduate degree in history at the University of Vermont, which he proudly earned. His early career was devoted to serving students, first as the director of financial aid at Johnson State College and later as the assistant director of financial aid at UVM.
Jim’s passion for education and law led him back to school in 1980. He earned his Juris Doctor from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., in 1983 and became a member of the Bar of the United States Supreme Court. Upon returning to Vermont, he embarked on a remarkable 30-year career as a law professor and director of the paralegal program at Champlain College in Burlington. In 2010, his excellence in teaching was recognized with the prestigious Edward Phelps Lyman Professorship.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Jim dedicated many hours as a volunteer with the American Red Cross and was a committed blood donor. His love for the water made him a skilled sailor, crewing on Lake Champlain and participating in sailing adventures in other parts of the world.
Jim’s passion for American history was unparalleled. He was a devoted volunteer at Fort Ticonderoga, a regular participant in the War Colleges of the French and Indian War, and a proud judge for middle school history competitions. His dedication to preserving and sharing history touched countless lives.
Jim was predeceased by his parents; grandparents, Herman and Clara Fry and Christian and Katherine Gunzel; and his twin brothers, who passed away in infancy in 1958. He is survived by his sister, Katherine Winchester (Lee); his nephew, James Winchester (Kate); and a circle of beloved friends, including Ernie Pomerleau, Bob Minetti and Michelle Miller, as well as many dear colleagues and friends.
A celebration of Jim’s life will be held privately in the spring. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Fort Ticonderoga, 102 Fort Ti Rd., Ticonderoga, NY 12883, or the McClure Miller Respite House, 3113 Roosevelt Highway, Colchester, VT 05446.
This article appears in Jan 8-14, 2025.